crumple
12 synonyms for crumple, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To crush something into creases and wrinkles.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use crumple
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
crumple a piece of paper
crumple under pressure
crumple zone
Etymology
From Middle English crumplen, related to Old English crump ("bent, crooked") — the same root behind "crumpled" and "crumb".
Full origin of crumple →Frequently asked questions
What does “crumple” mean?
The word “crumple” means to crush something into creases and wrinkles. In plain terms, to scrunch something up into wrinkles, or to suddenly collapse.
How do you pronounce “crumple”?
“Crumple” is pronounced KRUHM-puhl (/ˈkɹʌmpəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “crumple” in a sentence?
Here is “crumple” used in a sentence: “He crumpled the letter and threw it in the bin.”
What part of speech is “crumple”?
“Crumple” is a verb.
Where does the word “crumple” come from?
The word “crumple” comes from Old English. From Middle English crumplen, related to Old English crump ("bent, crooked") — the same root behind "crumpled" and "crumb".
How many meanings does “crumple” have?
“Crumple” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to crush something into creases and wrinkles.
